Nicaragua- 2009

Eye glass ministry. We went with Jim Chamberlain from Fernandina Beach, FL. (Beautiful place by the way) and a group of about 6 other guys. My brother Brad and I took a plane from Memphis, TN to Miami and then to Managua, Nicaragua. We flew from there to Puerto Cabezas where we gave out eye glasses to the Miskito Indians who live in that region of the country. The Miskitos are a forgotten people group that even the government looks down upon. We saw over 400 people and gave out around 300 pairs of glasses.

I got to minister in local churches with an interpreter in both Spanish and Miskito, speak on the radio, walk along the Caribbean Ocean, eat lots of lobster, and pray for many who were suffering.

Los Angeles Dream Center- 2008

Sometimes we forget that people in our own country suffer just as much as some around the world. When we hit the streets of LA I was shocked to see the way people live everyday. Families that are hungry, people who are addicted, and woman who are abused.

I was also glad to see that in the midst of all that chaos that is called LA there is a church doing an incredible work for God. I had never, nor since, seen a church that is as close to the church in Acts as the dream center. They gave away more than most churches receive. It was truly amazing to see a group of people so dedicated to ministry. And the best part was the people who led the worship on the stage on Sunday were the ones on the street on Monday. In the midst of great suffering there is place for great compassion.

Haiti- 2007

Haiti is what you would imagine, a very dark and lonely place. I am told that Haiti is the poorest country in the world and you can tell by visiting. From the moment you step off the plane you are bombarded by the visual reminder that this country is in turmoil

We took this trip to help build an orphanage in a small community outside the capital Port Au Prince. Our job was not a glamorous one, we didn't celebrate the opening of the orphanage, we simply went to pour concrete. This job in the US is a tough one but down there it was really hard. A group of about 12 went down and we packed our suitcases full of supplies. Our only luggage was our carry on, both of our checked bags were packed to the 50lb limit with supplies for the haitians.

I came back from Haiti with a real understanding of what poverty can do to a group of people. Poverty not only affects you physically but mentally and spiritually. These people need so much help and anything we can do for them is an answer to their prayers.

Portugal- 2006

My second mission trip was a follow up to my first. I took this trip with Book of Hope. To find out more about Book of Hope read below about my trip to Ecuador.

This was my first time across the Atlantic Ocean. We flew from Jacksonville to Philadelphia to Germany to Portugal. It was quite the plane ride. It was on this trip that I learned the joy of toilet paper and airplane bathrooms!

While in Portugal we did a dozen or so school assemblies in places ranging from universities, grade schools and even a prison. We preached in local churches, sang songs, and went deep into the alleys with teen challenge. At one point during the trip I literally thought I was going to die. It was an intense trip with lots of stories to tell. God did awesome things in Portugal.

Ecuador- 2005
My first time out of the country! I was so excited to go. I was leading a team from our church and I had myself had never been anywhere before. I was nervous but protected. I planned the trip with a group called Book of Hope. This great organization is committed to taking the gospel around the world. They have incredible staff that plan and protect you the entire trip. This was by far the best way for me to take my first trip.

We landed in Guayaquil, Ecuador and did ministry mainly out of a small town about two hours away. Book of Hope works through the local schools to pass out the Book of Hope which is a compilation of the four gospels. While we were there we saw thousands of students from Kindergarten to High School. The team had such an incredible time with so many memories, from Iguanas to Air Plane Cockpits, to Penguins. It was an incredible trip.